Investigation into fatal motorcycle accident continues

November 25, 2013

An investigation continued Monday into a recent crash that left a Cape Coral motorcyclist dead.

Joshua Edison Banner, 22, of 3508 S.W. 15th Place, died Friday morning at Lee Memorial Hospital, where he was taken following an accident at Pine Island Road and Cultural Park Boulevard.

According to Cape police, Banner was traveling east on Pine Island on a Harley Davidson, approaching Cultural Park. Witnesses reported that he was driving recklessly as he drew nearer to the intersection, changing lanes several times, cutting off other vehicles and not using his turn signal.

At 6:40 a.m., Banner came to Cultural Park and switched lanes again. The front of the motorcycle collided into the front of a westbound Chrysler Town and Country van attempting to turn south.

Due to the impact, Banner was ejected from the motorcycle. He was not wearing a helmet.

Banner was trauma alerted to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:06 a.m.

The driver of the van, Ronald F. Boevers, 74, of 1703 N.E. Seventh Place, was not injured.

It was unknown Friday if the crash was alcohol or drug related, according to police.

There have been 16 traffic fatalities in the Cape so far this year. Two fatalities were not included because they were ruled "medical" - the cause of death was not related to injuries from the crash.

Officials reported that the city recorded 10 traffic fatalities last year, compared to 11 in 2011.